I’d been vowing to leave my job for months.
At the time it seemed all life had in store for my career were lower thirds and quick-turn branding packages. It’s hard to tell if it was the work itself or the copy of “The 4 Hour Workweek” in my backpack, but I was constantly daydreaming about escaping to greener pastures. My family’s assurances that I had a “good job” did little to change the personal truth that a 9-5 job wasn’t what happiness looked like to me. Not that job at least.
The problem was my paycheck. My addiction to it was a bi-weekly vice that provided the same warmth and security as heroin must’ve given Nikki Sixx. At the time I thought I was making a lot. It seemed crazy that I would be able to pull the same income going freelance. At the same time, I knew that most of my grievances wouldn’t be solved by just getting a new job.
25-Year-Old Justin’s Grievances:
A company’s needs align only occasionally with the type of exciting work I really look forward to.
Regardless of how much work there is, I have to show up Monday through Friday and pretend I’m busy all day long.
I’m being paid an unconditional salary for the entire year regardless of how hard I work. Promotions are a drop in the bucket.
Upward trajectory and promotions are dependent on politics and vacancies in the organization.
When it came to my role and pay, progress was determined in yearly increments during an annual review. I was ambitious, hardworking and wanted results for my career quicker than they were happening. At 25 years old, a year felt like an eternity to wait for anything.
Enter freelancing.
One day an opportunity presented itself that became my turning point. One charismatic freelancer I had been doing work for on the side had lined up a project that required a month of my full, undivided attention. It was everything I wanted: a high-profile client, good pay, and a shot at creating something that would objectively elevate my portfolio. The universe had called my bluff and robbed me of excuses. It was time to step up and do something crazy or shut up and live the 9-5 forever.
This was it. The perfect excuse to go freelance.
A whole week went by with butterflies flapping in my stomach but as soon as I stepped into my bosses’ office the worst part was already over. After finding the courage to quit, a feeling of warmth washed over me again. This time, it wasn’t from a paycheck. I was just proud that I had actually did something for me. In freefall, I was lighter than air.
By the way, this gig ended up being a disaster.
Okay, it went about as well as it could’ve. This was the type of situation where 2 kids barely changed out of their graduation gowns were supposed to recreate a multi-million dollar CG spot on a budget of 10K working 100 hour weeks.
BUT, creatively I grew exponentially. Disaster had struck and it only made me more sure I had made the right decision.
We made something big and ambitious that looked more expensive than it was. I learned and used 3D software that I had never had good reason to learn at my old job. I tapped into a network I didn’t even know I had to source collaborators for the project. It felt like coming alive after months of stagnation and I learned more in that month than I had in the last year of full-time employment.
After skydiving into the world of freelance like this, here are some of things I was saying after the first 6 months:
“What else can I do when no one’s getting back to me? Especially good studios, it seems impossible to get them to notice me.
“I got into this to have more control, but it feels I’m just relying on good luck.”
"Getting paid on time is way harder than it should be.” (Once it took 120 days to get paid and I needed that 15K pretty bad)
"Client relationships can get messy. I felt abused, working ridiculous hours for little money. The terms weren't even clear as to who was right."
Looking back at these quotes now, I sit back and laugh.
When you first make the leap to freelancing it’s hard not to be overwhelmed. You’re running your own business now, which means finding the clients before you can even get to the creative work. But the chaos doesn’t last long.
Faster than you think, you learn, “I can do this.”
The ability to control your own destiny makes everything worth it. In self-employment, a world of new possibilities opens up to you. Now YOU get to decide on a daily basis what your career and lifestyle are going to consist of.
Here’s why I’m thankful I took the plunge:
Making senior level money and beyond without waiting for a company to promote you. I now get paid more than double for the same hours I was working previously.
Unlimited time off for the stuff that life’s really all about. No questions asked, no repercussions. After traveling the Mediterranean for two months on end, I don’t think I could ever go back to having just 2 weeks a year.
Casually working remotely, from my bedroom or from anywhere else on the globe.
Avoiding painful jobs and employers who’ve caused you repeated stress. (or seem like they’re about to)
Auditioning for any studio, any company in the world. You never know when dream opportunities are going to be waiting in your inbox.
Not enough people really understand this kind of life is possible. At the cost of consistency, you’re rewarded with access to freedom and money that are normally reserved for people much more successful than you. The creative community has always been a huge part of my life. As a part of that community, I feel obligated to let you that you have access to a lifestyle that often feels too good to be true.
Subscribe to my newsletter below so I can help you achieve everything you’re hoping for as a self-employed creative. That means winning more bookings, commanding higher rates and taming the chaos so you can focus on the work. Even better, you’ll get to hear from industry heavyweights that have already mastered the game. Come on this journey with us and I promise you will no longer have anything to fear about being a freelancer in the creative industry.